sealPurdue News
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September 23, 2002

Carroll to head Purdue's Indianapolis Office of Engagement

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Thomas Carroll has been named the first director of Purdue University's Office of Engagement for Indianapolis, effective today (Monday, 9/23).

Thomas Carroll

The former Indianapolis business owner will leave his position at Guide Corp. in Pendleton to become Purdue's main liaison for business, industry and educational partnerships in central Indiana. In February, the Office of Engagement was opened at INTECH Park on 71st Street, just off I-465, as part of Purdue's commitment to helping the Indianapolis area stay competitive in the New Economy.

"Thomas Carroll's familiarity with the Indianapolis business community will help him to build relationships that, in turn, promote economic and work force development in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties," said Don Gentry, vice provost for Purdue's Office of Engagement.

Carroll also has strong ties to Purdue as the immediate past president of the Purdue Alumni Association Board of Directors. He, his wife and three of his children are Purdue graduates.

"It's important that Indy's industrial, manufacturing and high-tech communities fully benefit from Purdue's strengths and resources in technology, engineering and management," Carroll said.

Carroll will be central Indiana's key contact for Purdue's Technical Assistance Program (TAP), the Purdue Research Park's high-tech business incubation complex, the Purdue Gateways Program and Purdue's Statewide Technology Program.

He will work closely with an alliance of Indiana business and research university leaders, called the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, to promote advanced manufacturing – knowledge-and technology-based types of manufacturing.

Carroll also is charged with raising the awareness of opportunities for educational partnerships, such as the new Science Bound initiative in which Purdue and Indianapolis Public Schools are working together to double the number of underrepresented students who graduate and come to Purdue to study engineering, technology, science or math.

"What used to be known as 'outreach' has become 'engagement,' because both Purdue and its partners in business and education are bringing something to the table," Gentry said.

Writer: Jeanine S. Phipps, public relations director, Purdue Research Park, (765) 496-3133; jeanine@purdue.edu

Sources: Thomas Carroll, (317) 275-9305

Don Gentry, (765) 494-9095; dkgentry@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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